MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Is There a Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Antenatal Depression?

Several studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression. A recent study has assessed the relationship between vitamin D levels and risk for antenatal depression in a cohort of African-American women. Vitamin D deficiency is more common among African-American women than in Caucasians. The active form of vitamin D is produced as a byproduct of natural sun exposure. Because women with darker skin have more melanin, which blocks the sun’s rays and affects the skin’s ability to produce the active form of vitamin D, they typically have lower vitamin D levels.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:37:16-04:00November 3rd, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Hypnotherapy for Hot Flashes

Peri- and post-menopausal women have various options for the management of hot flashes, including hormone replacement therapy, SSRIs, and gabapentin. It looks as if hypnosis may also be helpful. In a recent study, researchers randomly assigned postmenopausal women to hypnotherapy or "structured attention," which was used as a control intervention.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:39:06-04:00October 28th, 2012|Alternative & Complementary, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Facilitating Smoking Cessation in Pregnant Women: An Innovative Web-Based Training for Healthcare Professionals

Women who smoke during pregnancy are at greater risk for certain complications, including placental previa, placental abruption, and premature rupture of the membranes, and premature delivery. Furthermore, infants of mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be small for gestational age and are at greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-10T15:42:16-04:00October 27th, 2012|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Prevention|Comments Off

Depression in Fathers: Toward a Better Understanding of Its Impact on the Child

While much research has demonstrated that maternal depression may negatively affect the child, leading to increased risk of developmental delays, behavioral problems, and psychiatric illness. Less research, however, has detailed the impact of paternal depression; several recent studies have focused on better understanding the risk factors for paternal depression and how paternal depression affects children.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:45:19-04:00October 23rd, 2012|Child Outcomes, Depressive Disorders, Outcomes, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders|Comments Off

Extended Release Gabapentin (Neurontin) for Hot Flashes

Multiple studies have shown that gabapentin (Neurontin) at 600-2400 mg/day in divided doses is effective for treating hot flashes in menopausal women. This study examines the efficacy of an extended release preparation.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2025-12-21T08:42:13-04:00October 21st, 2012|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Childhood Abuse: A Risk Factor for Bonding and Parenting Difficulties

Multiple studies have demonstrated that childhood maltreatment is associated with subsequent difficulties. Researchers from the University of Michigan assessed parenting behaviors in women with a history of childhood abuse and neglect (n?=?97) and a healthy control comparison group (n?=?53). Participants were assessed at 6 weeks, 4 months, and 6 months postpartum. At 6 months, a home visit was conducted and mothers and infants participated in a dyadic play interaction later coded for positive parenting behaviors by blinded raters.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:52:28-04:00October 19th, 2012|Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

Screening for Perinatal Depression: What Can We Learn From Australia?

In 2009, the Australian government launched the National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) in order “to improve the prevention and early detection of antenatal and postnatal depression and to provide better support and treatment for expectant and new mothers experiencing depression.” Its scope is very much like the MOTHERS Act, which became law in the United States in 2010. Both initiatives seek to increase public awareness of perinatal depression, to provide support and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women with depression, to fund research in this area, and to implement training of health care professionals.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-11T09:57:25-04:00October 17th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Diagnosis & Screening, Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy|Comments Off

Low Dose Paroxetine for the Treatment of Hot Flashes

For decades, estrogen has been used to treat menopausal symptoms, including night sweats and hot flashes. However, after studies reported that estrogen increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer, many patients and clinicians have looked into alternative treatments for hot flashes, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T10:51:17-04:00October 16th, 2012|Medication, Menopausal Symptoms, Treatment, Vasomotor Symptoms|Comments Off

Risk Factors for Postpartum Smoking Relapse

A high proportion (47%–63%) of women who quit smoking during pregnancy relapse during the postpartum period. Being able to identify those women at highest risk for relapse may help to devise strategies for preventing relapse.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T10:52:21-04:00October 14th, 2012|Nicotine, Perinatal Substance Use, Prevalence & Risk Factors|Comments Off

CBT for Depression During Pregnancy Improves Mothers’ Attentiveness to Her Infant

During pregnancy, a woman develops increasing sensitivity and responsiveness to infants’ distress. If depression during pregnancy occurs, this process may be disrupted. Various studies are shown that women with depression are less responsive to an infant’s distress. The major concern is that this diminished responsiveness may persist as long as one year after the child is born, and when it persists, it may negatively affect the child. Decreased responsiveness of the mother to the infant’s cues may lead to emotional, cognitive and developmental problems in the child later on.

By MGH Center for Women's Mental Health|2015-08-12T11:25:09-04:00October 10th, 2012|Depressive Disorders, Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Psychotherapy, Treatment|Comments Off

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